A joint development program focused on bio-based PBS (polybutylene succinate) compounds for injection molding has been launched by Reverdia (www.reverdia.com), a joint venture (JV) between Royal DSM N.V. (Heerlen, the Netherlands; www.dsm.com) and starch-derivatives maker Roquette (Lestrem, France; www.roquette.com), and Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research. The new bio-PBS compounds will be durable and based on Biosuccinium.
Development will focus on longevity, appearance and processing characteristics. Plastic product manufacturers, including RPC Promens and Teamplast, will collaborate to validate the compounds in reusable horticultural crates and rigid food packaging with hinges. The final compounds are expected to have an improved carbon footprint in comparison to polypropylene, which is typically used for these applications.
“Raw material producers and manufacturers of the final products will test these new materials, ensuring that consumers will soon have bio-based and durable plastics in their hands,” said Lawrence Theunissen from Reverdia. “The whole value chain is involved in developing these materials.”
“An important objective of the project is to develop plastics from renewable raw materials with a much wider scope for application, and thus a larger market potential,” added Karin Molenveld of Wageningen UR.